NEW LONDON, New Hampshire (CNN) ­– At a northern Granite state town hall, Sen. John McCain, a fierce advocate for staying the course in the Iraq war, told voters he would not support reparations for Iraqis.

"I will not support reparations," the Arizona senator said. "I think the American people have already invested enough in American blood and treasure."

When asked to consider the numbers of Iraqis killed and displaced concomitant with the impact of war on Iraq's infrastructure, McCain stood firm.

"You talk about one of the many consequences of the failure to conduct the war correctly for nearly four years," McCain said to the Granite state questioner. "And I'm happy to tell you that exodus has turned around and Iraqis are now coming back from Jordan and other places back to Iraq because we have established an environment in which they can live more peacefully."

McCain, a former prisoner of war, championed the progress of the current Iraq strategy and stated that once a stabilized government was instituted, the oil-rich resources of the Iraqi state would pay for the damages.

"I think that there is very little doubt that if we can restore the Iraqi economy, sitting on the second largest pool of oil in the Middle East, that the Iraqi government will be able to take care of their people," said McCain.

soundoff(21 Responses)

John you might help the veterans admin get the money they need for mental care as you will probably be a regular customer basd on you political rhetoric. I can not believe that anyone who has been in politics as long as you can run such a stupid campaign. No wonder Bush and his group made such a fool of you and your family at your last attempt to fool the american public Give it up and find a nice rest home.

Clearly McCain learned nothing from the post-WWII Marshall Plan, which, by pouring US money into Western Europe, built economic and political stability, and also created solid US allies for the past 6 decades! If Iraq doesn't get funds for re-building from us...hmmm, can we blame them for seeking them from places like Iran?

However, Sen. McCain will have to agree that number of Iraqis who have died or been displaced since Iraq war started in 2003, is more or less close to similar numbers during comparable periods under Saddam Hussien's regime.

On the flip side, US has lost thousands of lives, thousands have been wounded, trillions spent on this Iraq War.

So question no. 1 to Sen. McCain: On the balance your vote in favor of sending troops into Iraq has resulted in huge losses for US. Can US citizens rely on you, to make the right decisions if you were elected as President? (Please remember that your decision to vote in favor of sending troops into Iraq, weighed hugely on lot of Senators in the dark days after 9/11).

Hey I thought this Iraq endeavor was going to cost us one billion and then Iraqi oil revenue money would pay for the reconstruction! Oh yeah, that was in the parallel universe Wolfowitz, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Bush, Feith, Rice et.al. reside.

If you break it, you pay for it. Even a president ought to know that. I'm sorry he was a prisoner of war ninety years ago but please God keep him away from the Oval Office. He has such a poor grasp of foreign policy and no idea what the young people under 75 think.

Now, now, there is no need to encouraged their endowed laziness and selfishness with ludicrous ideas of reparations because like Clintonians, the Iraqi's still need to be taught how to take care of themselves the democratic way. And besides, we have already given them lots of treasure, the greatest of which was their freedom. It is a great investment, because unlike the Clintonians, the Iraqi’s will raise to the challenge of self sufficiency and international brotherhood for all.

Bubba of Swainsboro GA, you've got it right. If Americans think that they can preemptively invade another country, destroy its infrastructure, destabilize its government, kill its civilians, and not face any moral consequences, they had better think again.

America, your moment of empire is only a moment. It won't last, because no empire does. Someday, you will reap the consequences of the imperialist ambitions of your leaders. Pray that you have a change of heart before that day comes!

Clearly McCain learned nothing from the post-WWII Marshall Plan, which, by pouring US money into Western Europe, built economic and political stability, and also created solid US allies for the past 6 decades!

Posted By John : November 18, 2007 11:48 pm

You're right on John (poster, not the candidate). The Marshall plan was exactly that. Most people don't recall how great this plan was.

I have heard there is another plan in the works. I think it's called The Wanta Plan. I'm not sure where we are with that though. It is supposed to restore the US dollars value and help the Middle East rebuild their countries. Aside from reports that banks and politicians are stealing this "Wanta" money, I don't know the truth about when it's going to happen.

thevoter, life must be very easy for you. If a person listening to a Republican candidate does something besides kiss his ring and instead asks a perfectly legitimate question, he must be a Clintonite, right? Wrong!

For the last 25 years, the US has suffered with neo-conservatism. It is now time to jettison that dangerous political philosophy and return to our Republican roots. And we had better hurry and do it quickly before the disease makes everyone stupid.

A more legitimate question.. Does Iraq owe America 1.6 trillion in war debt for their freedom?
England paid it, why is this any different than freeing them from tyranny?
Germany didn't attack us. Did we pay them reparations??
Of course not…

If Americans think that they can unilaterally go into any country in the world, smash it and not have responsibility for putting it back together, they prove themselves to be the most arrogant of people. I'm against any international conference to raise funds to repair Iraq. The smashers should be made to pay. But that would put their country into debt another 5-10 trillion dollars of borrowed money. Aren't your children and grandchildren going to be proud.